Thaipusam

Thaipusam is also spelled as Thaipoosam. The festival is celebrated by Tamil community on full moon day in the month of Thai. Pusam refers to a natchathiram (star), which is at its highest point on this day. According to the Gregorian calendar, Thai month falls in January – February.

The festival is dedicated to Hindu God Lord Murugan. Murugan is also known as Skanda, Murugan, Shanmukha, Kartikeya, Subrahmanya, Guha, etc.

Kavadi Attam

Thaipusam

A Major feature of this festival is Kavadi Attam (Burden Dance), it is a ceremonial sacrifice. Body piercing with hooks, skewers and small laces, many devotees pierce their tongues and cheeks, some devotees even pull chariots with pierced hooks.